How Can a Care Home Support Someone With Dementia?

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Dementia’s progressive nature means a unique journey for each person living with it. This condition typically causes care and support to be increased over time, and at some point may end up needing assistance with everyday personal care tasks such as washing, getting dressed, eating and bathing as well as more complicated tasks such as medication management and fine-motor activities. Many people all over the UK, Northern Ireland and the rest of the world suffer from dementia, and this number is rapidly increasing.

In the initial stages, a person with Dementia may simply need a reminder to carry out everyday tasks, and as the more advanced stages progress, complete around-the-clock care. At a point when tasks and care are difficult to maintain at home and someone’s mental capacity decreases as the condition progresses, it may mean it is the right time to consider a move into a care home. While the overall decision-making is something that is very difficult and takes a lot of time, there are many positive aspects a care home can bring.

We understand that there is also a lot of concern with funding dementia care. Most care is funded by a family member but there are multiple options available if you aren't in this position. If you have any queries on how you would fund your dementia care, we would recommend getting in touch with your nearby social services such as the local authority who will carry out a financial assessment for you.

How can a care home support someone with Dementia?

A care home is purposefully designed to support people with Dementia, and here are a few ways to achieve this.

1. Provide a Safe and Secure Environment
The environment in which we live is incredibly important to our quality of life, particularly when living with Dementia and trying to make sense of the world around us. Sometimes, moving into a care home is the best decision for an individual with dementia following a hospital admission or after struggling to be able to live fully independently at home. Each nursing home or care home that has been purposefully built will have considered its future residents, including those living with Dementia. A considerate residential care home will strive to create a homely atmosphere where noise and bright lights are reduced, which is particularly important for dementia residents. A safe, homely and easily understood environment is pivotal to both dementia residents and their loved ones, providing reassurance to all.

2. Present Residents with Engaging Activities
We believe all residents should be able to make the most of every day, no matter what. A care home offering dementia care should encourage individuals to continue doing what makes them happy, whether it’s enjoying their favourite, enjoying a Sunday lunch with loved ones or partaking in a regular arts and crafts session. The Activity Coordinators go to great lengths to ensure dementia-friendly and social activities are incorporated into a weekly activities programme. It’s essential to provide older people with everything they need to live the life they deserve, with the option of enjoying their days quietly and alone or socialising with fellow residents.

3. Skilled Professionals

A Care Home carefully selects a dedicated team of health and social care professionals to look after all residents, and ensure there are full-time staff on-site who are qualified and experienced in providing specialist dementia care. Compassionate staff will go above and beyond in all they do, working with residents who live with dementia alongside their families to discover activities and therapies that are suited to their unique requirements and abilities. Having access to around-the-clock, long term care means residents and loved ones can feel rest assured that skilled professionals are always on hand.

4. Extensive Experience

Care Homes and nursing homes present their residents with a stable team who are trained in caring for someone with dementia and have extensive experience in their specialist field. Nurses working in a Care Home will possess an abundance of relevant experience as well as be encouraged and given opportunities to continue to expand their skills with training provided by the Care Home. A dedication to understanding and caring for those living with Dementia will ensure residents consistently receive the finest level of care on a long-term basis.

5. Social Opportunities

Activities Coordinators will go to great lengths to ensure dementia-friendly activities are incorporated into a monthly Activities and Excursions programme. Care Homes strives to do all it can to provide individuals with all they need to live the life they deserve, with the option of enjoying their days quietly or socialising with fellow residents. A lot of care homes will also take their residents out on local trips to the city hall or to voluntary organisations where they can meet like-minded individuals outside of the care home.

6. Support for Family & Friends
From initial diagnosis of dementia through to ongoing management of the condition and associated medication, care homes are equipped to provide practical and emotional support to both residents and their loved ones as it is often a difficult time for a loved one. Often there are support groups within care homes, where friends and family members of residents can get together, share their experiences and support one another. This not only gives someone else an insight into different experiences, but also provides peace of mind when it is needed.

Dementia Support at Harrier Grange Care Home

We recognise that no two people with dementia are alike and that although some individuals may require modest assistance in managing their everyday lives, others may need significant 24 hour support. Residents from all walks of life are welcomed into our home, where they will be treated with compassion and where professional care is tailored and adapted to meet a person’s exact needs.

We are pleased to offer a safe and supportive environment for all of our residents, including those living with dementia. Our care home in Andover has been carefully designed to ensure residents feel relaxed in their surroundings and can easily navigate the home. We provide many in-house facilities which include arts & crafts, private gardens, a cinema room and activities programme for residents to pursue their hobbies and interests.

Before any prospective resident moves into our care home in Andover, we collaborate with them and their family and friends to create a personalised care plan that outlines their exact needs and preferences. This enables our team to consistently provide care in our residents' best interests and offer an environment where they feel safe and supported.

“Mum arrived at Harrier Grange Care Home in October, she was recovering from an operation whilst grieving the loss of her husband and was often confused and withdrawn with the onset of dementia. The level of care and companionship she received is outstanding and has transformed her back into a relaxed, happier Mum again. As a family, we are so very grateful to all the team at Harrier Grange Care Home safe in the knowledge that Mum is being so well looked after.”
Review of Harrier Grange Care Home from Jeremy D, son of resident via carehome.co.uk.

Researching and visiting care homes, and recognising and understanding the specific care requirements someone needs when living with dementia can be difficult. Support comes in all shapes in sizes, and in addition to talking to our wonderful team, and exploring our Dementia Care page, we recommend the following social services that specialise in dementia:

Get In Touch With Our Team at Harrier Grange Care Home

Our primary goal is to ensure our residents are offered the best possible quality of life; a place where they are able to benefit from the advantages of care home living in the company of like-minded people and free from the worry of running a household.

If you have any questions regarding Dementia Care at Harrier Grange Care Home or any of our other care types such as respite care, nursing care, residential care or palliative care, we invite you to get in touch. Call 01264 252 555 or email info@harriergrangecare.co.uk to chat with our friendly team.